AB0852 BREAKING THE GLASS CEILING IN MEXICAN RHEUMATOLOGY

Background:The term “glass ceiling” has been used since the late eighties, to designate an invisible barrier that prevents highly qualified women from reaching positions of responsibility in the organizations they work. (1) At first, this concept was used to analyze the career of women who, having a professional career and a high level of competition in their workplaces, encountered an interference when trying to advance in their careers. (2). The so-called “glass ceiling” refers to a last barrier based on prejudice towards women that prevents them from advancing to high-level positions.Currently, there is almost the same number of men and women affiliated to the Mexican College of Rheumatology (CMR). The position of president is the highest directorial position, we undertook the task of evaluating the percentage of women who have historically held that leadership position.Objectives:To assess the percentage of woman who have occupied the position of president of the Mexican College of Rheumatology.Methods:Observational, cross-sectional study. We evaluated the number of man and women who have historically held the position of president of the CMR.Results:Currently, the CMR has 630 active members, 308 women (48.9%) and 322 men (51.1%). Among rheumatologists younger than 40 years of age, women represent 58% (n=128). We found that historically the CMR has had 48 presidents, of which only 4 (8.3%) are women.Conclusion:There is a big gender gap between presidents of the CMR. It is important to talk about the gender perspective and recognize the causes that have originated this gap. Incorporating the gender perspective in senior management is a pending issue for our CMR.References:[1]Barberá E, Ramos A, Sarrió M, et al. Laberinto de cristal en el liderazgo de las mujeres. Psicothema 2011;23(2):173-179.[2]Bustos O. Mujeres rompiendo el techo de cristal: el caso de las universidades. OMNIA - Revista de la Coordinación de Estudios de Posgrado 2002(41);1-7.Acknowledgements:We have no acknowledgements to declare.Disclosure of Interests:None declared